At any point in history, men and women gathered themselves together – either for protection, or commerce, or simply because their families got really, really big. In doing so, leadership over the group always seems to form. When Zion is formed, there will not be an election. God will choose, and His choices for leaders will fulfill His purposes. In this there is peace – why? Because there is no hidden agenda and no hidden cost. The leadership of Zion will be the best men and women for the job, and they will not be swayed by greed, power, or glory. They will be working with one end in mind – the betterment of all men.
Full version:
Okay, so the entire topic of the Physicality of Zion arose from the fall out of the last few elections. The first question: How will Zion be governed? might take a couple weeks to cover. This is probably a post that will get me into trouble, since I’m combining the two most divisive topics under heaven – politics and religion. However, in spite of it being a big no-no, I’m going to talk about them anyway. Eat your spinach first and get it out of the way as it were.
At any point in history, men and women gathered themselves together – either for protection, or commerce, or simply because their families got really, really big. In doing so, leadership over the group always seems to form. The leaders were chosen either through their charisma, innate wisdom, strength of arms, or the size of their flocks. Some were good. Some were not. Some were a mixture of both depending on the direction of the wind. But good or bad, the people demanded that someone take up the lead. Why? Lots of reasons, probably; comfort, security…personally though, I think people wanted leaders so that they could have a scapegoat to blame when the crops failed or when things didn’t go the way that the group thought they should.
Whichever the excuse, by nature and spirit, we are beings of order. We crave guidance and structure. These desires are leftovers from the lives we lived prior to coming to mortality. Our collective history has shown us good leaders and bad. It has shown us where government has worked, and obviously where it has failed miserably.
I will confess that this last election was both, very disappointing and very disheartening. Not so much for the outcome, but for the content of the campaigns. For months we watched, listened to, and read about the various candidates. Here in Jackson County, Missouri, the mudslinging between parties and candidates was harsh. Likewise, I listened to and watched as vicious attacks unfolded in other states. More and more, the issues are falling by the wayside and are being replaced by an unhealthy focus on personality and personal failures.
I am not disputing the need for leaders of integrity but, truthfully, I feel that our government has almost completely lost its integrity. And that is what made me so depressed about this last election. I no longer feel represented by the candidates that run for office. And I doubt that I ever will be again. It is a pessimistic mindset, I know. Yet, I feel that the current criteria set forth, in order to simply qualify for an accepted candidacy are to blame for the poor choices running for office these days. The standards for qualification are not leadership and moral integrity. They are a stocked bank account, the number of powerfully influential people you know, and the ability to tow a party line. To my mind and heart, it is literally a choice between the lesser of two evils each and every time I cast my ballot any more.
Some will criticize me for my cynicism. “If you don’t like the system, change it!” That’s the default, right? And if one were to look at the recent meteoric rise of the Tea Party Movement, you would think that idiom was truly viable. Yet, even this political movement, for all of its rhetoric, does not represent my ideals. To be heard, you need money; lots and lots of money. And it is in the gathering of that money, that so much compromise is made.
“I’ll endorse you, but I’ll expect you to represent my interests at a later date.”
“I’ll donate to you, but I need you to listen to what this lobbyist has to say first.”
“Here’s a contribution check, now let me introduce you to so-and-so.”
It is how the game is played: you give a little to get a little. Yet, in complete contrast, that is not how God’s kingdom is run.
Christ, during his mortal ministry, did not go to the wealthy to bank his campaign. Neither did He seek out those who were deemed wise, or the popular people of the time. The men he chose were those of integrity, loyalty, and they had high standards. In each of them, I suspect even Judas in the beginning, there was a reverence for Heavenly Father and His purposes. The scripture is true: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22:14)
The leadership of Zion will be chosen not by man, but by God whose city it is. There is confidence in that. When our last Bishop was selected from our congregation, I felt comforted. I knew the man hadn’t aspired to the position. There was no campaigning, no empty promises, and no embellished speeches. There was just a man, chosen by God, who quietly bore his testimony and through his actions promised to love us all and do his best for us. That is the foundation of the leadership of Zion – love God, love his children, and a commitment to do whatever is necessary to get the job done.
There are many reasons why our government fails, but I think the two greatest reasons are its size and the lack of serious integrity and reverence for the commitment within our leadership. That’s a pretty harsh criticism but, in the defense of our leaders the system has become the proverbial stone, cut from the mountain. Our governing leadership cannot hope to fight against the sheer momentum of the social, economic, and political structures of power that are currently rooted in the governments of the world. Some have quietly tried, and have been consumed by it. True change can only come through a conscious unification between the men and women in leadership; but there are so many different voices and unique interests vying for their attention, how can they possibly draw together under one banner?
The sad fact is: they can’t.
The people of our nation, no…our world, are too divided on how they want to be governed for that to happen. The early history of the United States is rife with social experimentation and reform. Emerson was noted to have commented on the fact:
“We are all a little wild here with numberless projects of social reform. Not a reading man but has a draft of a new community in his waistcoat pocket.”
(From a letter to Carlyle in 1840, as cited in Sydney E. Ahlstrom, “The Communitarian Impulse,” A Religious History of the American People, (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1972), p. 491.The desire was to see a perfect community built, but how could it be with so many disparate visions? Now, like then, some want to be told how to live and others want to be left alone. Some want their government to take care of them, and their neighbor wants as little government in his life as possible. To some, financial security is all important. To others, the concern is where their next meal is coming from. The point is, man governing man doesn’t work. It never has. Why?
Simply because man does not have the vision to do so; their hearts are not one. Neither one with each other, nor with God.
If we could see the Big Picture and love, as God does, then we would have a government that works. Sadly, we get too caught up in our own issues for that to be a viable case. It’s why every attempt at a utopian government has failed, and it is why they will continue to fail. The difference between Zion and any other man-made attempt (socialism, communism, or otherwise), is the fact that the leadership of Zion answer to a higher power – a true King. That King cannot be swayed by greed, anger, vengeance, or fear. His purpose is perfectly pure, and we know up front that He is working for our joy and benefit. He has no other ulterior motive.
In this, when he chooses someone to fill the hot seat, we can take comfort in the knowledge that that man or woman is the right person for the job. There is a reason for them having the position. And they, as leaders, will not place their faith in themselves. They will be as Nephi of old:
2 Ne. 4:34Zion will be governed by its Lord and King, Jesus Christ, who in turn takes his direction directly from the mouth of His Father. When we place our trust in that more perfect system, we will have an abiding government that is truly successful. Health care won’t be driven by capitalism, for what need does Heavenly Father have for money? There will be no homeless or destitute, for with God all men have a purpose and a place. There won’t be any more hidden agendas or lobbying. There won’t be any need for anarchists, because our freedoms are assured by the highest power in the universe.
O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
That brings me comfort. That brings me peace. I look forward to Zion, if for no other reason than I’ll be free from the mudslinging.
Until next week,
Jeffrey
